Alabama football doesn't have a quarterback battle, but it does have plenty of competition heading into the 2022 season.
Here are some of the details and puzzle pieces we've been able to put together with all practices and scrimmages closed to the general public and reporters.
As of Wednesday night, Saban said he didn't know who the starting corners would be.
"There's a lot of competition at that position," Saban said.
Competition is only one part of the uncertainty. The other part is health. Preseason injuries have impacted the cornerback position.
Khyree Jackson, dealing with a groin injury, took part in portions of the second scrimmage after missing the first.
Ricks, dealing with a back injury, participated in warmups but didn't take part in the second scrimmage.
Both are in competition with Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold. Saban said Wednesday that Arnold has "done a really good job" in preseason practices.
Health might decide who starts in the first game on Sept. 3. Availability is a key ingredient for being able to start.
Even if Ricks is healthy, he might not start right away. Since transferring from LSU, he's had to learn a new defensive system, unlike linebacker Henry To'oTo'o. The former Tennessee linebacker played in a similar system under Jeremy Pruitt.
"Eli Ricks is still trying to learn the defense so he can go out and play with confidence," Saban said after the first scrimmage.
There are few positions that require confidence more than corner, a position played on an island.
At this point, it seems like Tyler Steen and JC Latham are the top candidates to fill the openings at left and right tackle respectively.
Steen brings significant SEC experience at the position, transferring after three years as a Vanderbilt starter.
It doesn't guarantee he will play with the starting offense, but Alabama doesn't have legions of elite left tackles available.
Then for Latham, he has the pedigree as 247Sports' top tackle in the 2021 class. Plus, he has received strong reviews from teammates this offseason.
"He’s put in a lot of work this offseason, and I feel like he’s gonna have a really big year," guard Emil Ekiyor Jr. said.
Ekiyor is expected to fill the right guard spot he's held down the past two seasons. At left guard, Javion Cohen could get the starting nod again, or versatile linemen Kendall Randolph could fill that spot.
At center, Darrian Dalcourt is trying to fend off Seth McLaughlin, who filled in for him late in the season. Dalcourt also missed spring practices with an injury. McLaughlin didn't participate in Saturday's scrimmage.
"Darrian Dalcourt started all last year and he’s had a really good fall camp," Saban said. "Seth McLaughlin, when he played, played like a starter, and the competition has been good."
Georgia transfer Jermaine Burton seems all but a lock to start.
Saban called Burton the most consistent in the spring and again earlier in August. Who plays around him remains to be seen.
At the forefront of the group likely to fill in around Burton are Traeshon Holden and Ja'Corey Brooks, the Iron Bowl hero, as well as a young player like freshman Kobe Prentice.
Saban said Prentice was probably the player that stood out the most of the young group after the first scrimmage.
After the second scrimmage, Saban said Holden had a "really good day today" with four or five catches.
"Made a lot of good plays," Saban said.
Tyler Harrell, the Louisville transfer who joined after the spring game, hasn't been as much a point of discussion of late.
But with more time, he could find his way onto the field.
"I do think that he has shown that he has a lot of ability," Saban said in early August. "We just need to get it channeled in the right direction so that we can use him in a way that's going to be most productive for him and for us."